Tutorial
4 sports betting strategies that work in 2024
Takeaways by BetterChecked
- Fold weak hands with ranks 6 or lower, unless you have a pair or an Ace.
- Fold hands with 7, unless it's 7+7, 7+Ace, or 7+Eight.
- Fold low pocket pairs and aces below 10.
- Avoid suited connectors like 7, 8, or 9 unless in a favorable position or situation.
- Adjust your strategy depending on where you are in the table.
First published 8/13/2024 on BetterChecked• last updated 8/13/2024
You're at the poker table, surrounded by the sounds of shuffling chips and quiet chatter - or maybe you're playing online in a live dealer casino or one of the best crypto casinos. The tension is real as you look at your hand—2-6 offsuit. Your hopes drop because you only have a 4.7% chance of winning. Folding is the smart move.
There are exceptions, of course. Pairs or hands with an Ace can occasionally beat the odds. But in this case, folding is the best option.
You notice another player with low pairs like 2-2, who at first seem confident, but low pairs often lose when higher cards show up on the board, allowing an opponent with a higher card to easily take the win.
- ->Even pocket tens can struggle on a Q-3-9 board, illustrating that even decent pairs need to improve to win.
Recommendation by BetterChecked
Spot low pairs and weak hands early to avoid losing more than you need to. Using poker tools like GTO solvers or hand analysers can simplify this process.
Low-value suited connectors like 7-8 suited can be tempting, but they usually don't pay off, winning only about 22% of the time against one opponent.
You might recall risky plays that lost you a significant amount. By folding these hands, you demonstrate discipline and prevent bad bets, which can help you avoid significant financial losses.
Recommendation by BetterChecked
Fold low-value suited connectors to stay disciplined and keep your stack secure.
Timing is key to strategy
You move through the rounds, and each new position changes your strategy. In early positions, such as Under the Gun (UTG), caution is required. Typically, you should only play around 10-12% of starting hands, based on stats.
For instance, holding Q-J offsuit in UTG isn't great, with just an 8.4% chance of winning.
As the game progresses, you find yourself on the Button, the best seat in poker. From this position, Q-J offsuit improves significantly, with close to a 15% win rate, since there are fewer players to act after you, increasing the odds of winning.
Recommendation by BetterChecked
Use your position to make smarter choices about which hands to play. Who needs luck when you've got strategy?
More regarding BetterChecked
![Post Image about Can you dropship Nike products in [year]? The hard truth](https://betterchecked.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,metadata=none,onerror=redirect,fit=scale-down,width=234,quality=35/https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/img-betterchecked/o/raw%2F1914d5a5252_Screenshot%202024-08-13%20at%2022.07.21.png?alt=media&token=fbd59724-2fb6-4d29-90fc-e364812de4a8)
More by
Playing aggressively from the Big Blind against a Cutoff raise is all about strategy. With A-K suited, you've got a strong hand, boasting nearly a 48% win rate heads-up. This kind of aggression tends to make weaker opponents fold, and each move builds your confidence.
- ->By doing Continuation Bets (C-bets) on 60% of flops, you stay sharp. Even if you miss the flop, you can still turn it into a chance.
- ->Your C-bet effectively uses your position to make others fold.
Understanding opponent behavior: a psychological dance
Every move your opponents make tells you something, and each bet size and timing give away a bit of truth.
An aggressive player betting big makes you think: do they have a strong hand, or are they bluffing? You rely on experience and watch for patterns, and when you spot an aggressive style, you might fold, using your skills to decide.
Statistics show that a tight player's aggression factor is usually around 3, meaning they bet only when they have good cards. With this knowledge, you can avoid falling into their trap.
Recommendation by BetterChecked
Understand your opponents' styles and tweak your strategy to dodge any costly traps.
Knowing which poker cards to fold combines science, strategy, and instinct.
Folding weak or unclear hands, even when they seem tempting, using your position wisely, and reading your opponents are crucial to playing well. Mastering poker requires making smart folds, understanding hand strength, and controlling your emotions.
Each fold is a chapter in your poker story. The ability to know when to fold is what distinguishes a reckless gambler from a skilled player.
